COUNCIL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAMBODIA (CDC)

Landmines and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) in Affected Communities

(i) Introduction

Cambodia is one of the 122 States parties to the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, and desires a mine free ASEAN. "Mine Clearance activities are considered by the Royal Government of Cambodia as a top priority in the rehabilitation and development of the country, in particular in light of achieving poverty reduction in Cambodia. Mine clearance is not merely a matter of social security, but it is also relevant to economic issues and development in general, especially in terms of providing land and safety of livelihoods to poor farming households in remote areas.” NGOs working in mine affected communities endorse these comments of the Prime Minister of Cambodia.

In 2002, 46% of Cambodia’s villages are affected by mines or UXOs. The recently completed Impact Level 1 Survey shows the negative socio-economic impact of this:


RESTRICTION	Impact

Restricted Access to Home: Restricted Access to Home Construction Land: Restricted Access to Agricultural Land: Restricted Access to Pasture Land: Restricted Access to Water Sources: Restricted Access to Forest: Restricted Access to School: Restricted Access to Dams, Canals: Restricted Access to Markets: Restricted Access to Business Activities: Restricted Access to Health Centers: Restricted Access to Pagoda: Restricted Access to Bridges: Restricted Access to Neighboring Villages:	33,195 16,481 101,261 101,455 82,440 167,376 44,085 1,029 1,319 592 1,249 1,483 244 2,277	Houses Houses Families Families Families Families Students Villages Villages Villages Villages Villages Villages Villages

In 2001, the number of people injured or killed by landmines or UXOs was 809. In the first three months of 2002, 279 have been involved in mine accidents. Areas needed for roads, cables, Village activities, housing and farming continue to be cleared by CMAC, MAG, HALO Trust, the military and villagers. NGOs are involved in development activities in mine-affected communities, in victim assistance, in monitoring the Mine Ban Treaty as wall as in clearance. They contribute actively in co-ordination meetings. Coordination and regulation of mine action is entrusted to Cambodian Mine Action Authority Other co-ordination mechanisms which collaborate with CMAA are the Disability Action Council and Land Use Planning Units.

(ii) Key Issues & Recommendations

1.   Priority clearance of mine affected areas with greatest impact on poverty alleviation.
1.   Recommendation:
1.   •    Fund clearance of mines,
1.   •    Prioritize mine clearance according to the maximum impact for poverty alleviation

2.   Access to safe land with right of ownership
1.   Recommendations:
1.   •    Continue to monitor use of detained land.
1.   •    Implement good land legislation that alleviates poverty in mine-affected Cambodia.

3.   Communities and individuals disabled by mines have a right to development assistance.
1.   Recommendations:
1.   •    Fund assistance for rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration of disabled,
1.   •    Fund development activities in mine affected Communities

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